The Way to a Man's Heart is Through His.... Who: Derek and Stiles When: Week 9, Wednesday evening Where: Hale Estate, Stiles' room. Why: Somebody hasn't been eating. Warnings: TBA as needed.
Derek had taken Tuesday as a mental health day, which involved him running for most of the day and then spending the evening eating, showering, and not thinking about Stiles or Allison. Isaac had benefited from the extra attention as well, and Wednesday dawned new and hopeful, with Derek feeling centered and in control for the first time in what felt like weeks.
He caught up on the household events, made a few decisions in consultation with Laura, made some decisions about Allison's training and purchases for that end, and was informed that whiles Stiles was behaving himself and generally accepting his confinement, he wasn't eating much, if anything. It was out of concern that he'd gone down to the kitchens to speak to Gloria, their head cook, and she'd clucked her tongue, assuring him that Stiles would eat when he was hungry and not to be concerned, but Derek still wanted to address the issue. He just wasn't sure how.
The idea came to him while he watched one of the other kitchen slaves butchering a cow.
Steak.
Stiles had once told him, after they'd dined on steak for the third or fourth time (Derek enjoyed his red meat, and had steak in some fashion on average about once a week), that steak was his favorite thing. Something about his father's birthday and baked potatoes with all the trimmings. Despite Gloria's earlier reassurances, she seemed pleased--even eager--to cater Derek's requested meal of steak and baked potatoes--though she insisted on adding a green vegetable.
While Gloria fussed with a tray for Derek to take upstairs, the werewolf had wandered to the library, picking out a selection of novels and collections of poetry, even a couple nonfiction titles dealing with world history and werewolves. The books tucked under his arm, he returned to the kitchens and picked up the tray, planting a fond kiss on Gloria's cheek, and then headed upstairs.
He didn't knock on Stiles' door, but let himself in, and shut it behind him with his foot. "Dinner," he announced. "You're eating with me."